Some possible approaches or topics to Assignment #1
Creative projects
A map or diagram of the stories and characters in
the book as a whole, with emphasis on the structure of fours, including
the four sides of the table, the four directions, the four elements, with
possible links to the Taoist symbol of Yin-Yang or to the trigrams and
hexagrams of the I ching.
Preparation of a small snack that’s related
to the themes of food and eating in the book and in Chinese and/or Chinese-American
culture.
A live or video or animation performance of the Moon
Lady Shadow play.
Essays
The symbolism of shadows in "The Moon Lady"
The game of Mah Jongg and how its rules and customs
relate to the structure and characters of The Joy Luck Club.
Wealth and privilege in old China and modern America
Similarities and differences between grandmother,
mother , and daughter
Patterns of good vs. bad male behavior over several
stories
The connection between the prologue of a section
to one or more stories in that section